Parents -> Main
The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education supports the role of parents as the primary educators of their children. Parents are encouraged to participate in their local school communities. Opportunities exist in schools for parents to volunteer in many different capacities. Parents in Medicine Hat and Bow Island Catholic Schools have always played an active advisory role within the schools. Their presence is an invaluable support to school administrators, teachers, support staff in helping the school reflect a community spirit.
Thank you for choosing our schools to meet the academic, faith, moral and cultural need of your children. Our schools meet our student's needs by ensuring our faith permeates the entire school experience, in courses, extra-curricular activities and special events. A strong support network is provided to develop the God-given talents of our students and to attain success in the goals they identify throughout their school years. As Catholic schools we support parents, the parish and the community in our motto "Showing the Face of Christ to All". Parents entrust their children to our care to receive a quality Catholic education. We take this trust very seriously and strive to ensure our students are nurtured with Catholic Christian values while receiving excellent learning opportunities.
School Councils
All parents with children attending school are members of their local school council and are encouraged to participate in council activities. Councils usually meet on a monthly basis.
School Councils are established in all schools and serve as a vehicle for parents, school administrators, teachers and support staff to meet and work together toward common goals.
School Council Chairs also meet one another, division administrators and representative(s) of the Board of Trustees at the Division Parent Association meetings held once per month typically held at the Board Office:
Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, 1251 - 1 Avenue SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8B4 403-527-2292
Parents may also participate by becoming a trustee in the School Division. Trustees are elected for a three year term. Those community members that are interested please contact the Catholic School Board Office, the Office of the Superintendent for more information. The Role of the Trustee is detailed in Policy 3 in the Board Policy Handbook.
Board Policy Handbook - Role of the Trustee
Schools Boards and Provincial Governing bodies recognized the value of parental involvement in education leading to the provincial government legislations to support the an advisory role of School Councils to School Act in 1994.
Contact your local school for more information about School Councils.
Parent Associations
To expand the existing channels of communication, school council members have the opportunity to be part of the larger association referred to as Parent Association. This Association was formed to create more opportunity for mutual influence, to build knowledge, and to enhance direct communication between parents, administration and the Board of Trustees. The Association consists of 9 member volunteers, one member from each of our nine schools, a representative from the Board of Trustees, and representatives from Senior Administration.
Contact your local school for more information on Parent Associations.
Publications
School Councils in the School Council Handbook, published by Alberta Education. This Handbook is intended to provide school council members with information and reference material to help School Councils operate as effectively as possible.
How are school councils valuable?
Lobbying or advocacy.
Building school community.
Provincial fiancial assistance beyond basis resources.
Providing invaluable input on division-wide and province-wide initiatives.
Enhancing existing educational programming.
